EARTH consists of massive areas of land and an even larger mass of water. The areas of land – Africa, Europe, Asia, Antarctica, Australia, North and South America – are called continents.
Only 29% of Earth’s total surface area is land. The remaining 71% consists of a global ocean which is divided by region into five oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Southern (Antarctic) Ocean.
Each ocean is unique and, as we will see, they all have a significant impact on our life on this planet.
WHY ARE OCEANS IMPORTANT?
Oceans contain 97% of Earth’s water and make up the main component of its hydrosphere. The is all the water, such as in clouds.
